The District Court in Samoa has convicted and sentenced to eight years in prison the driver of a bus involved in an accident that killed eight people and injured 24 others.
Felise Tuaoi Ulima pleaded guilty last year to one count of dangerous driving causing death and one of dangerous driving causing injuries.
The district court judge, Tauiliili Fao Harry Schuster, in his decision, reminded Felise Tuaoi Ulima of the seriousness of his offences saying it is the first vehicle accident to have claimed so many lives.
The court has considered traditional Ifoga presented by the defendant's family to relatives of the dead and injured but outside the court room several relatives of the victims disputed what the defendant's lawyer had told the court in his submission.
A father who lost his wife, daughter and grand daughter in the accident, Vaipu'a Manoa Leiloa, said his family did not receive a traditional apology.
